Cartier Jewelry
For its extraordinary range of bracelets, watches, rings and other adornments, French luxury house Cartier is undeniably one of the most well known and internationally revered jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
Perhaps 1847 was not the ideal time to open a new watchmaking and jewelry business, as the French Revolution was not kind to the aristocracy who could afford such luxuries. Nevertheless, it was the year Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904) — who was born into poverty — founded his eponymous empire, assuming control of the workshop of watchmaker Adolphe Picard, under whom he had previously been employed as an assistant. Of course, in the beginning, it was a relatively modest affair, but by the late 1850s, Cartier had its first royal client, Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned the jeweler to design brooches, earrings and other accessories.
Under the leadership of Louis-François’s son, Alfred, who took over in 1874, business boomed. Royalty around the world wore Cartier pieces, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharaja of Patiala and King Edward VII, who had 27 tiaras made by the jewelry house for his coronation in 1902 and issued Cartier a royal warrant in 1904. (Today, the British royal family still dons Cartier pieces; Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, regularly sports a Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.)
Cartier’s golden years, however, began when Alfred introduced his three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, to the business. The brothers expanded Cartier globally: Louis reigned in Paris, Pierre in New York and Jacques in London, ensuring their brand’s consistency at their branches across the world. The trio also brought in such talents as Charles Jacqueau and Jeanne Toussaint.
One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, a large number of people were using only pocket watches.) Louis designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying.
Cartier’s other famous timepieces include the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I, and the so-called mystery clocks. Invented by watchmaker and magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and later crafted exclusively for Cartier in the house’s workshop by watchmaker Maurice Couët, the mystery clocks were so named because the integration of glass dials on which the clocks’ hands would seemingly float as well as structures that are hidden away within the base give the illusion that they operate without machinery.
On the jewelry side of the business, Cartier’s internationally renowned offerings include the Tutti Frutti collection, which featured colorful carved gemstones inspired by Jacques’s trip to India and grew in popularity during the Art Deco years; the panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle inspired by medieval chastity belts that transformed fine jewelry.
While the Cartier family sold the business following the death of Pierre in 1964, the brand continues to innovate today, renewing old hits and creating new masterpieces.
On 1stDibs, find a growing collection of contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories.
2010s Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 2000s Cartier Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Cartier Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, White Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Cartier Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Cartier Jewelry
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s Cartier Jewelry
Yellow Gold
2010s Modern Cartier Jewelry
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Cartier Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Modern Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cartier Jewelry
18k Gold, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cartier Jewelry
Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Cartier Jewelry
Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cartier Jewelry
Early 2000s Cartier Jewelry
Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Cartier Jewelry
Diamond
Early 2000s Modern Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Artist Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald
1990s Cartier Jewelry
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Artist Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Cartier Jewelry
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Cartier Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Cartier Jewelry
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Cartier Jewelry
Hematite, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Cartier Jewelry
Gold, Steel
20th Century Cartier Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Modern Cartier Jewelry
Steel, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Cartier Jewelry
White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Cartier Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cartier Jewelry
Sterling Silver
1990s Art Deco Cartier Jewelry
Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Modern Cartier Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Modern Cartier Jewelry
Agate, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Cartier Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Artist Cartier Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cartier Jewelry
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Cartier Jewelry
1990s Art Deco Cartier Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs
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- Is Cartier real gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021As one of the top luxury jewelry houses in the world, Cartier uses some of the finest quality materials. The company uses 18k gold in their jewelry and real diamonds.